It will be interesting to see who gets a run out and who doesn't tomorrow night against Scotland at Hampden. Back in the fold are Dean Shiels of Hibs and Burnley's Michael Duff, fit again after a nasty knee injury.
"I thought we were pretty lightweight in wide areas and Dean's a very capable player in the wide area so I have brought him in to have a good look at him in training and because we are not blessed with a huge amount of wide players.
"Michael is a great pro - he has had a horrendous past in terms of his nasty injury.
"I'm delighted he is back fit and healthy and his return added further strength, as far as numbers are concerned, to the defence," Worthington told the Belfast Telegraph.
Out of action are Aaron Hughes, Kyle Lafferty and Keith Gillespie, although Gillespie will travel with the squad. Despite rumours, Worthington insists that Celtic's Pat McCourt fails to make the squad because of fitness levels. With respect, if he is fit enough to move from Derry City to Celtic, then you'd have though him fit enough for a friendly.
"I spoke to the coaching staff at Celtic to see how he has doing since moving to the club," added Worthers.
"Unfortunately Pat has been struggling with a hamstring injury since he signed and he only played his first game last Tuesday night.
"Fitness-wise he is somewhere off the mark and it was decided that he would be better off staying at his club and getting some work in to improve his fitness."
The friendly against our great rivals Scotland is the last opportunity Worthers will have to assess who is likely to get into the squad for the Slovakia game.
"This will be a great test for the side and no disrespect to a lesser team in the rankings, this is a great game for the supporters, players and having the old British Championship pride in there is tremendous," he added. "It's one of those friendlies that isn't a friendly and the players will be treating it that way."
The following squad has been announced to play Scotland at Hampden Park on Wednesday August 20.
Goal: Maik Taylor (Birmingham City), Alan Mannus (Linfield)
Defence: Chris Baird (Fulham), Aaron Hughes (Fulham), Stephen Craigan (Motherwell), Gareth McAuley (Ipswich Town), George McCartney (West Ham United), Jonny Evans (Manchester United), Michael Duff (Burnley)
Midfielders: Steven Davis (Fulham), Keith Gillespie (Sheffield United), Michael O'Connor (Crewe Alexandra), Sammy Clingan (Norwich City), Chris Brunt (West Bromwich Albion), Dean Shiels (Hibernian)
Forwards: David Healy (Fulham), Kyle Lafferty (Rangers), Peter Thompson (Stockport County), Warren Feeney (Cardiff City - on loan at Dundee United); Martin Paterson (Burnley) |
